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Last year, United States President Barak Obama spent three days traveling America's northern- and westernmost state, Alaska. In addition to pursuing topics of national import, the President took the opportunity to return the traditional, Alaska Native name to the highest peak in North America: Denali, or "The Great One."
The mountain and the park
Towering 20,310 feet over the Denali National Park, "The High One" is perhaps the most iconic outdoor destination in a state renowned for wilderness adventure. If your locum tenens travels take you to Alaska, make time to experience Denali and the surrounding wildlife preserve.
Established in 1917, Mount McKinley National Park was created specifically to conserve wildlife. It is a six million-acre preserve with only one road, and access is strictly controlled by an active park service presence. The park is home to moose, caribou, golden eagles, grizzly bear, loons and more.
A rustic commercial center has developed to support visitors at the entrance to the park, and a bus service brings guests deep into the park for recreation, wildlife viewing and photography.
Become immersed in Denali
The National Park Service recommends that visitors to the park do a couple things to become fully immersed in the Denali experience. It suggests that, before snapping photo of wildlife or Denali itself, visitors should pause and turn completely around to take in all that surrounds them.
Standing at one of the many scenic overlooks—or, better yet, scaling one of the smaller peaks in the area—you will be struck by the enormity of mountain, the park and Alaska.
The park service also suggests that visitors find a moment to sit alone, remaining completely still and silent to hear life in Denali.
Sit still while the park comes alive around you. Drink in this pristine and immortal land, and think how you will describe this place to family and friends after returning from a locum tenens assignment in Alaska.